The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-09
THE ENTERPRISE.
Another Chapter in Her Career-Her
Engagement with a TripoIitan Pr


Engagement with TripoIitan Pr
rate.
10 the Editor of the Press
Reading the communication of j. p. b..
in the PRESS of July 4th, in which he gave
an interesting account of the naval engage
ment between the Enterprise and Boxer,
caused me to look up an event in the prior
history of the Yankee craft, which venture
to put on paper. in the hope that il may in
terest your readers. 1t is known to those
who are conyersant with our naval history
that the Enterprise was early engaged in the
| effort made by our nation to bring the gov
eminent of Tripoli to terms, as early as 1901,
and in May. 1906, this craft was one of
| squadron consisting of the Constitution, A
guns; the Philadelphia, A; the Argus, 1S;
the Syren, 16; the Nautilus, 16; the Vixen,
| l6; and the Enterprise, IA. The gallant
Commodore Edward Preble, of this town.
was appointed to the command of this
| squadron He commanded the famous Con-
| stitution.
But it is of the Enterprise, in August, 1901,
that we shall speak at this time. She was
under the command of Capt. Sterrett. ara
rated as a schooner, with twelve guns and
ninety men. OFF the coast Of Malta, she en-
| gagged Tripoltan crdiser of fourteen guns
| ana elghty-ive rIen. A desperate conflict
ensued ana continued Tor nearly two hours,
| when the Tripolitan hauled down her colors'
Tie crew of the Enterprise left their guns
and gave three cheers for their victory. Up
on this the cruiser poured a broadside into
The Enterprise, hoisted her colors and re-
iiewed the action with redoubled vigor. Her
crew, brandishing their sabres, continually
attempted to board. They were again over
come by the skillful crew of the Enterprise.
ana struck a second time. Capt. Sterrett
lnen ,e ordered the cruiser under his quarter,
ana Kept his men at the guns. But the Tri
politan had no sooner come to that position
than she renewed the action the third time.
ny pouring broadside into the Enterprise.
ane IrlPolitans hoisted their bloody
nag, and attempted to board. The
indignant cry of Flight on, and sink the
| perhdons villains to the bottom" was now
heaid from every part of the American
schooner Every effort was made by Captain
Sterrett TO ensure complete victory His
superior skill III the management of his YES.
sci enabled him to rake the corsair fore and
aft number of shot between wind and
water ,S opened her sides for the sea to pour
In. Fifty OF her men were killed and
wounded. Her treacherous commander.
perceiying the destruction of his vessel and
crew inevitable, implored for quarter. Bend
ing In supplcating posture over the rail of
uio NeoSel ne Threw MS c0l0rS into the sea- to
convince the American captain that he
would no more attempt to resist. Cantain
Sterrett, actuated by the sentiments of true
bravery stopped the effusion of blood.
though the treacherous conduct of the Tri.
polltans merlted no mercy. His instructions
not. permitting him to make prize of the
cruiser, be ordered her crew to throw over
board all their guns, swords, pistols. ann
munltion, &c, and then to go and tell their
countrymen the treatment they might ex-
pect from nation, determined to paw trib-
ute only in powder and ball.
=, Inc Enterprise, in this engagement of
three hours, did not lose q man. CAPTAIN
Sterrett, after paying every attention to the
wounded Tripolitans, ordered the cruiser to
pc dlsmanted. Her masts were cut down.
A spar was raised, to which was hung a
tattered sail, as flag In this condition
she was sent to Tripoli. On her arrival
there the indignation excited by her defeat
was SO great that the pashaw ordered her
wounded captain to be mounted on iackass
and paraded through the streets as an
OBJECT OF public scorn; and then to receive
900 bastinadoes. The Tripoltans were SO
terrified at this event that the sailors aban:
doned the cruisers then fitting out. Not
man could be procured to navigate them.
). I. =. asks what became of this gallant
vesseIg Our queries, in addition to his.
are Who built her? When and where was
she launched? Who was Captain Sterrett?
w. H. &